A Word from Jo Kean
This forced time spent at home has caused many of us to feel stressed and anxious. Maybe it has made you feel annoyed and angry. I can only imagine the pressure of having everyone
home all the time, trying to help your children and do your own work as well. I am sure patience runs thin. I would like to encourage you to keep going even when it is tough.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “the Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for him”.
Lamentations 3: 21 – 24
What wonderful promises we have in these verses! Gods’ compassions never fail. He is faithful. His love for us is amazing. We all need connection with others and in this time of lockdown that has been taken away. We need to be creative and deliberate about keeping in touch. A simple text or phone call to a friend or loved one can be a blessing to you and to them. God knows what we are all going through. He is with us all the time, even when we are doing school at home. He has all of time in His hands. He knows the beginning and the end of all things.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Looking for ways to be grateful has helped me greatly in the past few weeks; adopting an attitude of wonder in the small things; looking at God’s creation and being thankful for the many blessings He has bestowed on me. Spending time meditating on God and praising Him has made a difference, especially to my attitude in lockdown. Whilst I do not know what the future looks like, I have a Saviour who does, and that’s enough for me.
I recently read a book called 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze by Clayton Zane Comber. It tells the story of a teenage boy, who has a special relationship with his grandmother. She is dying from cancer, and she challenges Xander to write a list of 100 remarkable feats that he can achieve before she dies. The feats must not be huge, like ending world hunger. They must be achievable. Xander begins with number one, writes a list of 100 remarkable feats and tries to achieve them. His list includes things like forgiving someone, and making Nanna proud of me. The book follows Xander’s journey of completing his remarkable feats. Through the story, I could see Xander changing into a more confident young man as he completed each task on the list. The book is written for older readers, yet the message is appropriate for us all. We all need to feel like we are doing what God wants us to do, and perhaps we need a list that we tick off as we go. I need to have something meaningful to do at home during lockdown. Maybe I need another list! What strange times we are living in. May you know God’s presence in all you do.
Reminders
- The Parent Portal and Kuyper App will be the primary vehicle for day-to-day communications between the school and parents in 2023. The School Calendar, weekly news, event advice and other essential functions will only be available in the Parent Portal and Kuyper App. At least one parent/carer from each household where your child resides needs access to the portal or app. If you are not already using the App, or need assistance resetting your user account and password, call 4573 2999 and we will assist you to connect.
- Nurture Magazine has been sent home to each family via their eldest child. Look for an article by our very own Ruth Thompson on page 20.
- Lost Property is over-flowing. Please come and check if any of it is yours, as lost property will be discarded or re-sold at the end of the year.
- Parents are reminded to continue testing for COVID and advise us if there is COVID in their household. If concerned, we encourage students to wear a mask at school for their own and others’ protection. In line with NSW Health recommendations, we also ask that close contacts wear a mask indoors and on public transport (including the Kuyper bus) and test regularly. We still have a good supply of RAHT kits. Contact the Office if you would like some sent home.
- Reminder to parents to ensure that all fees are paid by the end of year. Contact the Office if you have any concerns.
- Families who rely on the Busways service need to know that there have been some changes to the timetables until the end of term. Use the buttons below to access the temporary timetables for Term 4.
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise him that he is “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17), and that he loves us.
- Give thanks for holidays, breaks and changes in rhythm. Pray for connection, peace and safety for all our families during these school holidays. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School, particularly at Limelight!
- Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness and accident: Faithfull, Hill, Eastlake, Armstrong, Gubbins, Huxley, Daly. Pray for good rest, connection and healing for all our families, staff and students.
- Give thanks for our Government and those in authority. Pray that they would be led in wisdom and truth to lead our country for the future good of all. Pray that “every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Give thanks that our government has been “instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive team as they interview potential new staff members. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association as they plan, prepare and budget for 2023. Praise the Lord for His provision to us all the time.
News & Notices
Student Surveys
As a school we are inundated with requests to be involved with student surveys from universities and Government institutions. We say no to many, and only engage with a couple that are seeking good outcomes for our broader community, and include direct feedback to the school. The issue of gender has exploded within society in recent years and is therefore an area that surveyors regularly target. Feedback from parents about a survey released to Secondary students last week indicated that the questions, particularly around gender, were inappropriate for the age of their child. The survey overall was also confusing and took too long to complete. I concur with what has been reported.
Feel free not to complete any survey if you think it is inappropriate or unhelpful. Please send feedback if this is the case. You may however, like to use the survey as an opportunity to respond from a Christian worldview. If we don’t get involved, then our voice is not heard.
There is one other survey to be released this month to Secondary and Senior Students from Mission Australia. Having actually seen the questions, I can confirm that it is less confronting than the recent survey from Macquarie University. I leave the decision in your capable hands whether you are happy for your child to participate. Doing the survey together may encourage helpful discussion between parents and students. I hope you can make the most of these opportunities.
Employment at Kuyper Christian School
Applications are invited from Christians of Reformed persuasion who identify with the School ethos and can demonstrate their Christian faith in Jesus as a priority in their life.
Bus Driver
This is a temporary part time position, 5 days per week – split shift. The successful applicant will be responsible for bus driving duties which will include, but not be restricted to, morning and afternoon school bus runs, excursions and sporting activities during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- MR driver’s licence
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Administration Support
This is a temporary part time position, 2 days per week, during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Duties:
- Supporting the Administration team
- Administering First Aid
- Managing a busy reception, serving staff, parents, and students
Requirements:
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination certificate
- First Aid certificate
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organisation skills, and flexibility
- Competent computer skills including MS Office and Google
- Ability to prioritise and work independently
Desirable:
- MYOB
- Edumate
- Adobe
All applicants must complete an application form which can be found on our website https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Applications close 5:00pm Friday 24 December, 2021.
Please send your application, including CV, to Ian Shaw: ishaw@kuyper.nsw.edu.au